Sims likes pit bulls, and Vick

The Eagles linebacker, who raises the dogs, says he admires Michael Vick.

May 28, 2010|By Nick Fierro | OF THE MORNING CALL

PHILADELPHIA — -- Not long after the technical talk ended, the human talk began. Specifically humanity. Linebacker Ernie Sims' humanity, to be precise.

The conversation centered on an interesting entry in the Eagles' media guide about how the newcomer from the Detroit Lions has come to own more than 50 animals of various species, including 20 dogs and a pet monkey named Sidney. Naturally, the subject of teammate Michael Vick's legal troubles from three years ago came to the forefront before long.

How did Vick's conviction on dogfighting charges -- in which countless animals he was responsible for died violent deaths either at his hands or at those of his associates over a period of years -- sit with Sims? What does he think of him now?

''I've always looked up to Michael Vick,'' Sims said. ''The big game he played [for Virginia Tech] against Florida State. I was in high school, I watched that game. I'll always admire him as a football player and a person. What he did in the past, I don't look down on him for doing that. That's something he's put past him.

''As a person now, the first time I walked through the door and [saw] him, he came up to me and told me his name and he actually told me he's really into animals also. He actually wants to see Sidney, and I thought it was quite interesting ... and I think he's a good person and I think we're going to have a tremendous relationship.''

Sims' response was nothing out of the ordinary for an NFL player. After all, Vick has garnered unanimous support from his teammates in Philadelphia and others around the league since his return to football a year ago.

But from an animal lover as extreme as Sims, who wants to become a veterinarian when his playing days are over, his reaction was curious, to say the least.

There was no doubt about his sincerity, however.

Sims said what Vick did was ''messed up, but it is what it is. He did that and it's over with now.

''I do a lot of things in the community. I've got a website, exclusivepitbullkennell.com, and I actually raise pit bulls and I love them to death. I do a lot of things in the community with my foundation, like his foundation, to try to help out people that abuse animals. Anything that I can do for the pit bull community, I'm always willing to do.''

Sims also would welcome a chance to work together with Vick to promote the love of animals.

''I would love to do anything with him to help him,'' he said, ''and I'm pretty sure he'd do the same also. Like I said, when I met him, I felt he was a pretty genuine guy.''

Business matters: The players will be off for the next four days. When they return on Tuesday, the entire team will be expected in for the final OTA before training camp in July. They'll practice through June 10, taking June 5th and 6th off. ... The Eagles signed S Ryan Hamilton and released CB Josh Morris. Hamilton grew up an Eagles fan in Lower Bucks County and played at Council Rock North High School and Vanderbilt. He signed with New Orleans as a rookie free agent after last month's draft but was released on Monday. ''They had to bring in some guys to fill in for some injuries on the offensive side,'' he said. ''And when you bring someone in, you've got to let someone go. We were pretty heavy at safety.'' ... Also on Thursday, the Eagles announced the hiring of Daniel Jeremiah as a West Coast area scout. Jeremiah previously scouted for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.